Rise of the Argentine Empire

Italy is important to Saint Hesser's development plans, but not that important.

Currently, the team he sent to Italy is only a part of La Pampa Province, better than nothing. He's also sending teams to Spain, France, and West Germany to try their luck.

This time, the main purpose of business cooperation in Italy is still the same. Southern Petroleum needs ENI Petroleum's technology, and Raytheon Motors also needs to import some stronger cars from Fiat. Cooperation is possible in various industries such as shipbuilding, metallurgy, machinery, textiles, and clothing. Milan is still the fashion capital.

Speaking of cars, Audi, which was acquired in Germany, is still in the blood transfusion stage of the Cohen Consortium. Now, relying on contract manufacturing for other car companies and developing its own models, it is developing quite well. Saint Hesser is very confident in this car company.

Domestic Italian capital has not yet reached the point of overflowing.

Saint Hesser needs a link to connect with foreign countries, and establishing an Italian consulate is a good way to communicate.

For Argentina, Italy is a very good country for cooperation and complementarity. It is not a superpower, but it is also one of the four major Western European countries that are basically independent and autonomous. It has a certain influence in North Africa and Western Europe, and is also trying to play a role in the West Asia region.

It is a major country that currently has no potential for conflict with Argentina.

There are enough Argentinians of Italian descent in Argentina. Blood ties, although sometimes may seem far-fetched, are very likely to become a natural catalyst for relationships and a relatively easy breakthrough.

In addition to commercial cooperation and capital output, what Italy can influence in Argentina is Rome.

This is an existence that Latin America cannot avoid, and can be traced back to the Spanish colonial period.

This is completely different from former President Peron, who is now seeking refuge in Spain and is disliked by Rome.

Although Saint Hesser doesn't believe in these things, he has been secretly undermining their influence.

His wife, Ilena, is also a very important card in his hand, but now is not the time to play it. This is an important weapon for him to establish a populist image.

For those who support him, Saint Hesser can maintain good public order and provide ample employment opportunities.

This is very scarce in other Argentine provinces, which naturally attracts more people to move here. Anyway, Argentina is an immigration country, and internal migration is normal.

Even San Martin City, a popular city with good momentum, seems somewhat inadequate in front of Blanca City.

In recent years, the overall strength of San Martin City has expanded rapidly, achieving leapfrog development from a small town to a small city to a big city.

It can already compete with Cordoba in economic development, but its status is too low. It can still only be said to be the second largest city in Cordoba Province, which cannot be changed temporarily.

Moreover, the San Martin City Hall team is being infiltrated by the Cordoba Provincial Government and slowly assimilated.

Cordoba can be said to represent Argentina's land power, while Buenos Aires represents Argentina's sea power.

Blanca City combines both sea and land, and has become one of the representatives of Argentina's local factions.

Argentina has many small factions, just like the United States has parties other than the two major parties.

The Western faction of Mendoza Province, the Northwest faction of Jujuy Salta Province, and the Central faction of Santa Fe Province are mostly unsuccessful, but have a little influence.

Cordoba and Buenos Aires take turns dominating, and are also important representatives of the federal and local factions.

Saint Hesser of La Pampa Province can be regarded as the future centralist faction.

In Saint Hesser's view, because the strength of Argentina's provinces is very weak, they have not been able to form a significant force.

Successful examples are like Ireland in the British Empire, and unsuccessful examples are like the three southern states of Brazil and Quebec in Canada.

Only by achieving centralization can a strong Argentina be built.

Does a small and beautiful country really exist in the world?

Small countries have too poor risk resistance.

You ask if small countries have dignity? The answer is no. Weak countries have no diplomacy.

Do you think you are Belgium or Singapore? Sorry, you are just Gambia.

Small countries can succeed a thousand times, but as long as they fail once, it will be a catastrophe.

Singapore is considered to have a relatively good fate. Its astonishing rate of development is due to a variety of factors.

At the extremely important crossroads of the world in Nanyang, the great powers are unwilling to see a powerful Singapore dominating Malaysia.

Or the Serbian president sitting on a small bench in the White House?

The Balkan Tiger ultimately only left an inland country like Serbia to inherit its legacy.

South Korea is controlled by the United States.

South Korea will be a major economic power in the world in the future, ranking as high as tenth globally. Even in Europe, it can rank in the top five, second only to the four major economic powers of Germany, France, England, and Italy. Its paper military strength is also considerable.

The East Asian monster room is not a joke.

But South Korea is an economic appendage of the United States, an existence that weakens Japan and North Korea. It is also relatively ambitious, unlike the monkeys in Nanyang who cannot be helped.

"Don't underestimate India. India is one of the few independent major countries in the world, with independent and autonomous diplomacy. Its economy has even rivaled its former suzerain, Britain, which is already very remarkable. South Asia can basically not avoid this major country."

"You don't even want to call me 'Brother Three'."

Of course, Saint Hesser will not try to learn from India. He just has some admiration and then stays away.

Saint Hesser's favorite saying to the person in charge who is not performing well at the Cohen Consortium meeting is probably:

"You have been assigned to the representative office in India today."

Being assigned to India, now the Indian representative office is developing surprisingly well, and the exported coal and steel are also hot commodities.

Saint Hesser never puts all his eggs in one basket.

… …

In order to support the development of higher education in Blanca City, especially research, Saint Hesser encouraged employees and civil servants in the La Pampa Provincial Government to participate in the first graduate program examination of the National Southern University.

The National Southern University has been preparing for several years, and has only recently gotten on the right track in the past two years, and has never had the capacity to run a graduate program.

President Durant is an old acquaintance of Saint Hesser. His daughter, Annie Durant, also passed the civil service exam last year and became a member of the Blanca City Investment Promotion Department.

The Department of Physics of the National Southern University was established with the support of Saint Hesser, who allocated 1 million US dollars from the Cohen Consortium every year for five consecutive years. It is the strongest scientific research team in the National Southern University. In just two years, it has poached many big names from home and abroad.

Some of the most outstanding ones have been secretly recruited into more hidden physics research institutes, which are also the second important force for child weapon research outside the Argentine Presidential Palace.

The Department of Physics of the National Southern University has become the department second only to the University of Buenos Aires and the National University of Cordoba in Argentina.

In addition, the Blanca City Finance Department allocates 1 million US dollars of financial funds every year to support its development, and the La Pampa Provincial Government has announced that it will provide 1.5 million US dollars of financial support to the development of the Southern University every year, which is unprecedented in its intensity, and the education funds have greatly expanded.

Durant's position in the Argentine education sector has also risen as a result, and he has even become a vice president of the Argentine National University Alliance, entering the upper echelons of the education sector.

Durant used his position and funding to bring truly first-class Argentine scientific research power to Blanca City.

"President Durant, long time no see. The development of the Southern University has been really good recently. You have made a great contribution."

Saint Hesser took a sip of coffee and said with admiration.

He had to admit that Durant was no longer the poor headmaster he was back then, but had become a powerful figure in the Argentine university system.

From the multiple times he sought alms from Saint Hérse in the past, it was clear that this guy had some ability.

"This is mainly due to the support of the Blanca City Hall, the La Pampa Provincial Government, and the Cohen Consortium. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been possible to develop so quickly. It's also thanks to the efforts of all the school staff. My personal contribution is small."

Durant did not take credit, saying somewhat modestly, though he did feel a little pride inside.

"Your Excellency, it seems it has been a year since I last saw you. My little daughter, Anna, still mentions you often. When will you have time to come to my house for a simple meal?"

In the past year, Saint Hérse had rarely visited the National University of the South formally, except for donating money. The only time he went, he didn't even get to see him.

"Haha, actually, the reason I asked you to come today is that I hope to support the establishment of the graduate program at the University of the South. I also plan to take the entrance exam this time."

Saint Hérse lit a cigarette, slowly exhaled a smoke ring, and said. To be honest, it's rare for a young girl's passion to last for a year or two. It's just that he's willing but unable now, or maybe he could really give it a try.

Durant wisely didn't continue that topic and listened carefully to what Saint Hérse had to say.

The National University of the South's master's degree program did not adopt the application system commonly used in Argentina. Instead, Saint Hérse suggested a combination of entrance exams, application materials, and interviews to effectively lower the barrier for students applying to master's programs.

Otherwise, with Saint Hérse's resume, he could have easily applied directly to a master's program at the University of Buenos Aires, like those masters.

The reason why the University of Buenos Aires is now called an aristocratic university, a university for the rich, is because the barrier to entry is high.

Of course, now he no longer needs any academic qualifications to prove himself, so he is more willing to help the National University of the South get off the ground.

"There seems to be no need for an exam, right? How about we just issue you a diploma in two years? ... This doesn't violate any regulations. The University of Buenos Aires really doesn't require exams."

Durant seemed a little surprised, tugged at his tie with his right hand, and then slowly said. As the president of the university, it would be too easy to get a regular diploma.

"No need. I think everyone should take the exam. The University of Buenos Aires isn't anything special either. I think the newly established economics master's program is very good."

The National University of the South has established a total of six master's programs: law, medicine, physics, mechanical engineering, materials science, and economics.

Saint Hérse felt that he needed to recharge his batteries, so he had been frequently reading books on economics recently.

... "Okay, according to your wishes..."

Since Saint Hérse had said so, Durant immediately understood.

"Okay, President Durant, if you have something to do, go ahead and get busy."

Saint Hérse stood up and watched Durant leave before sitting back down.

This matter was not a whim on his part, but a well-thought-out idea.

Leading by example, strictly reviewing admissions, and continuing to increase the University of the South's reputation would lead to faster development, but it would also bring him a little controversy.

So, it's best to comply with all regulations.

...

"Your Excellency, the Argentine National Securities Exchange has been developing rapidly recently. There are currently 74 listed companies, and the overall total market value has exceeded 300 million US dollars. The highest market value is Bono Electronics, with 21.4 million US dollars. Blue Cloud Textile ranks second, with a market value of 21 million US dollars."

The director of the Argentine National Securities Exchange, Nicholas James, was reporting to Saint Hérse.

Yes, reporting on work, but also asking for help.

The status of the Argentine National Securities Exchange is, in principle, much lower than that of La Pampa Province. They are two major systems that are independent of each other.

The exchange is not subordinate to the La Pampa Provincial Government. The exchange is directly under the dual management of the Central Bank of Argentina and the Ministry of Finance.

But this institution was also organized by Saint Hérse, and even the top leader was recommended by him, and most of the listed companies are in La Pampa Province.

The National Securities Exchange is an important weapon for Saint Hérse to influence the Argentine economy.

"Recently, a group of scam gangs trading in penny stocks has appeared in the market, seriously affecting the order of securities transactions."

What goes up must come down. The stocks of many listed companies have fallen to a certain level, such as below 10 pesos, and will become penny stocks.

"Get me his information and let me take care of it."

Todd Belmode, from San Juan Province, 26 years old, graduated from Jujuy University. By running a store and engaging in border trade during his university years, he earned 10,000 US dollars by the time he graduated.

Later, he went to Buenos Aires to seek his fortune, became a product salesman, and also helped La Pampa Province sell La Pampa Province pork and chicken, successfully opening up the market.

Todd started his own business at the age of 23, opening his own trading company, importing goods from Argentina and selling them to Europe. As a result, Blanca City was in turmoil, and a fire wiped out everything. His company went bankrupt, and he was burdened with 134,000 US dollars in debt.

When the Securities Exchange was established last year, he became a stock trader, and then in less than half a year, he paid off all his debts and earned 77,000 US dollars.

Todd's understanding of finance is actually very limited, but he has an amazing talent for sales.

Relying on his sales ability, Todd defrauded funds from investors, and also cultivated a group of subordinates, using the same method to implement忽悠techniques. In less than a year, he has earned a wealth of 2.4 million US dollars, of which he underpaid 1.9 million US dollars in taxes, paying only a symbolic few thousand US dollars.

Later, he established a stock company, which is now the third-largest stock company in Argentina. Last year's total performance exceeded 6 million US dollars, which can be said to be more remarkable than the performance of many Blanca City star companies.

Behind this are the Argentine people and some wealthy people who have suffered heavy losses. They have almost lost all their investments. The rise of junk stocks is a miracle, while the decline is the norm.

Todd's stock company did not hire experienced stock brokers, but instead hired some naive, 20-something young people.

In order to motivate these young people, he would go to the company every day to deliver three passionate speeches, instilling in them fanatical sales creeds.

Blanca City does not have Wall Street. The street where the Securities Building is located is called Financial Street, also known as Sycamore Street, because it is full of sycamore trees.

Almost all of Argentina's commercial banks, insurance companies, and stock companies' headquarters or regional headquarters are located here, just like LA Avenue in Buenos Aires.

Todd not only made a fortune in Blanca City, but also caused financial chaos in Buenos Aires, no less than a small economic crisis.

"This guy is really a talent, so let the Falcon Bureau and the Police Department cooperate."

Saint Hérse was not polite. This guy didn't help Blanca City's economic development much, but instead caused a lot of damage.

Most importantly, he evaded so much tax that there was no need to be polite.

He asked the Falcon Bureau to collect evidence, the tax police to be responsible for collecting evidence, the Police Department to be responsible for the arrest, and the court to be responsible for the trial.

Two days later, the bad guy who disrupted the market and his criminal gang were arrested, and the Bell Stock Company was wiped out.

This is just a corner of Blanca City's crackdown on economic crimes. Almost every two months, a relatively large case is solved, and every year, there is a big case.

This is also one of his important tasks: to combat economic crimes and maintain basic market fairness.

Now, the business environment in Blanca City is second to none in Argentina. No one dares to say it's first.

Now, the population of Blanca City is also constantly pouring in, and many companies and factories are relocating here.